|
Causes of hair loss
Before we find out what are the common causes of hair loss, we should first understand what we should consider as normal for hair growth and loss.
For normal hair, the cycle of growth is generally for two to six years. Every hair generally grows about one centimeter approximately each m onth during this growth cycle. Generally, at any given time, 90% of the hair on the head is in growing phase and 10% is in resting phase. Within two to three months, hairs which are in resting phase falls down and new hair grows in its place. |
- Stress
 Now, we look at different reasons of hair loss which is not normal. Generally, it is seen that after about three four months of a major illness or a surgery, a large hair loss is experienced. This is because of the stress created in the body because of that illness or surgery. This hair loss purely temporary and it is recovered soon after the cause is mitigated.
- Hormonal Imbalance:
Another reason is because of some hormonal imbalance developing in the body. It has been found that when thyroid gland is producing less than or more than normal amount of hormones, it produces hair loss. By treating such a disease of thyroid gland malfunctioning, this hair loss can be mitigated. It also found when there is an imbalance in sex hormone, whether male or female as case may be, it causes excessive hair loss. By taking steps to correct this hormone imbalance in the body, such hair loss could be stopped.
- Pregnancy:
Similarly, there are many women who report excessive hair loss after three four months after delivering their baby. This is because during their pregnancy, level of certain hormones in the body goes up and this prevents those hairs which should have fallen normally from falling. Level of these hormones becomes normal 2-3 months after delivery. This causes these hairs to fall and normal hair growth cycle resumes.
- Medicines:
When a person takes certain medicines for treatment, it is found it causes hair loss. It is common during chemotherapy for treatment of cancer. It has also been found while using anticoagulants or blood thinners, taking excessive dosage of Vitamin A, taking birth control pills, antidepressants or taking medicines for treatment of gout. This fall of hair stops when these medicines are no longer taken.
- Fungal Infection
Another reason is due to fungal infection of the scalp. This causes hair loss generally in children. By treating the scalp with antifungal medicine, this hair loss could be stopped.
Loss of hair sometimes also gives an early indication of onset of diseases like diabetes or lupus. By treating the cause of these diseases, this hair loss could be stopped.
- Hair styles:
Because of pull of hair caused by wearing pigtail or using tight hair rollers, a type of hair loss called traction alopecia starts. When this pulling of hair is stopped, hair again starts growing.
Causes for specific types of hair loss:
- Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)
- Cicatricial (scarring) alopecia.
- Alopecia areata
- Telogen effluvium.
- Traction alopecia.
Symptoms of Hair Loss| Treatment for Hair Loss| |
|
 |
